Opponents of healthcare reform (PPACA) contend it’s unconstitutional, as it forces us to buy health insurance or pay a fine. But is it? Suppose the IRS raised our taxes by the penalty amount, then gave everyone with insurance a deduction equal to the penalty? This would be functionally equivalent to the PPACA tax provisions. It’s also how the IRS treats the charitable and mortgage interest deductions. The Supreme Court will strike down the Mandate.
Tag Archives: Tax Policy
Politics of the VAT
Democrats fear a Value Added Tax because it is very regressive. (That means the poor pay more taxes as a proportion of their income than the rich). Republicans fear a VAT because it can easily raise lots of money — just look at Europe. But, once Republicans realize it is regressive and Democrats realize it will raise lots of money, it may suddenly be hailed as a rare bipartisan solution to our fiscal problems.